Viewing post #520212 by EdBurton

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Dec 2, 2013 8:29 AM CST
Name: Ed Burton
East Central Wisconsin (Zone 5a)
Hybridizing, Lily Auction seed sell
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I use centrifuge tubes
I stuff the tubes with cotton almost to the top.
I take ripe pollen and dust it off on the cotton, usually the 6 stamens from 1 bloom provide enough pollen to cover all the cotton.
I mark the tube for content, and store it plastic bags in the freezer.
When I need it I take out desired pollen for the day, let sit for about 10 minutes or so then it's ready for use, open the tube, brush the pistil, tag the cross and move on to the next flower.
When I'm done I put the tubes back in the freezer.
I found that this method will pollinate a lot of blooms.
What I see is the fluid from pistil mixed with pollen eventually gets to the point where it can't be used anymore.
I have some pollen stored that is over 4 years old that looks just as fluffy as the day I packed it.
I would estimate that at least 50% of the seeds I make comes from the use of frozen pollen, and it's the only way that some crosses can ever be made because of bloom time.
Ruffled Strawberry Parfait which starts blooming late August here is crossed with 90% frozen pollen, and the success rate is higher than that.
Ed Burton

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